TONIGHT 14th Sept. (UK-BBC2) FIRST LIGHT

[PADDY]

Just want to make sure that those who enjoy things to do with the RAF during the Battle of Britain don't miss this (if you cannot catch it tonight, then it should be on BBC IPLAYER later).


First Light Tuesday 14 September
9:00pm - 10:20pm
BBC2
Docudrama based on the personal memoirs of Geoffrey Wellum, an RAF pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain with the legendary 92 Squadron. His experiences in combat serve as intense rites of passage, but as time goes by it becomes clear that the price of victory can often be an unbearable loss. Starring Sam Heughan.
VIDEO Plus+: 3940066
Subtitled, Widescreen, Audio-described

Cast
Boy - Sam Heughan
Older Boy - Geoffrey Wellum
Brian Kingcombe - Ben Aldridge
Tommy Lund - Alex Robertson
Mac - Gary Lewis
Bevington - Paul Kynman
Davy - Paul Tinto
Trevor `Wimpy' Wade - Jordan Bernarde
Drummond - Alex Waldmann
Grace - Tuppence Middleton
Dad - Richard Walsh

 

[benstephens]

Watch out for Miss Siss, she is in it as a WAAF somewhere.

Kindest Regards

Ben

 

[aswatland]

It was an excellent dramatisation of part Wellum's autobiography, capturing the atmosphere very well. It was interesting to see unseen footage from the Battle of Britain film being used for most of the aerial action scenes. Does anyone know the locations used? I know No. 92 Squadron was based at Biggin, but I don't think it was shot there. Part of the airfield reminded me of Kenley.

 

[benstephens]

Hello Andrew,

I thought it was a very good and moving depiction of his part in the BoB. I think a lot of the airfield scenes were shot at Twinwoods. I know others on this forum should be able to expand further as there were some familiar faces.

Kindest regards

Ben

 

[aswatland]

Thanks, Ben. Yes, I do remember now someone saying Twinwoods was used to represent Biggin Hill.

There was an interesting collection of repro Irvins, at least one may have been a '42 pattern Eastman and another was more like a B-3 shearling!

 

[Kitty_Sheridan]

Didn't see Simone, but saw plenty of our lot! Media trollops!

Enjoyed it, was nice seeing Twinwood all tarted up!

K

 

[Smithy]

Fantastic news that it was superb! I have been champing at the bit to see this since it was announced.

And luckily I believe a copy might be winging its way to me shortly

 

[benstephens]

Yep, Simone was in one of the very first scenes, she was the WAAF walking down the corridor and passing him.

Lots of Ramsey in it!

 

[H.Johnson]

I thoroughly enjoyed the production - well done to the producers, crew and particularly the extras!

It was good to see the Ford 8 Model 'Y' (ADD 124) in green/black livery. My own Model 'Y' (same year) was originally green according to the registration document, but someone painted it all black before I acquired it in 1992. I'd like to return it to its original scheme, but I have only seen black and white photographs of this scheme and it wasn't easy to work out which bits were which. It has the correct green upholstery with plain door panels. This may just have inspired me to dig it out of the garage, paint it and maybe even drive it!

 

[Cobden]

I only managed to catch a few minutes of it due to work the next day. Found it rather odd to recognise more of the extras (Simone included) then the primary actors!

 

[nightandthecity]

A stunning production all round, and deeply moving. In fact I liked it so much I watched it again today on Iplayer!

Yes, the occassional anachronism/error (....that four bladed prop...) but that side of things was way superior to most WW2 films/documentaries.

I read somewhere they made this in 9 days...and on a BBC budget too! Hollywood take note!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Saw it on the Iplayer last night. Fantastic.

The general mood of the production was exactly as put forth by my great grandfather and great uncle who both served in the RAF during WWII. The despair, fatigue and horror.

So that was Simone, was it? The little coquetteish glance as he walked past in the corridor … good job.:eusa_clap

bk

 

[Miss Sis]

Hello all!

I enjoyed it. I haven't read the book but think I must. I thought it was rather well done on a small budget and short filming schedule. Yes, there are bound to be a few small niggles but overall, a very moving portrail of what it must have been like for those pilots.

Alot of it was filmed at Twinwoods where they still have the old huts which are long gone from Biggin Hill.

I'm surprised anyone spotted me who didn't know when to look - it was such a dark shot in that corridor!

 

[Spitfire]

I'm surprised anyone spotted me who didn't know when to look - it was such a dark shot in that corridor!

Talent will always shine, Miss Sis!

 

[Austerityaudio]

First Light

Really enjoyed both the filming side of First Light and also the end result, I spent 6 days on set with the other extras, we had a great time and have to say all the production staff and actors had the right look on things and wanted to get it right, also they listened to the extras who helped with the advice on kit etc,

H- Johnson, if you need any help regarding your Model Y colour drop me a pm, my father was technical advisor to the Y&C Register for many years and im sure he has Fords original specs somewhere, Found it odd that they refered to the Y as a Ford 10 but never mind,

All in all I was very happy with the outcome and was nice that they tried to show the story without adding the Hollywood and PC side to it,

 

[H.Johnson]

Gary,

Many thanks. It is recorded in the original 'log book' as 'green and black'. Opinion on what that may have been vary from all black with a green 'coach line' (that's how it is now) to black bonnet and body with green mudguards to the other way around (!). Any help your father can offer will be appreciated. I can PM you the registration number and VIN if it helps.

 

[Austerityaudio]

First Light

Hi,
If you could email the details to, tommy1914-45(AT)hotmail(Dot)co(Dot)uk
will see what hes got,, the standard Colours are as follows from his memory without looking at his info,

Green Body, Black wings, and Green Wheels


Black Body,Black Wings & Green Coach line with Green Wheels

Black Body,Black Wings & Green Coach line with Cream Wheels

A friend of mine has had a Y for over 35 years and his is in Green with Black wings, Im sure he will be able to provide the paint code for the original Green as his car was repainted when he first restored it matching the original paint colour,

Sorry to hijack the topic!